Online Program

330386
Fostering healthier built environments through direct funding: Lessons learned from Los Angeles County


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 2:30 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.

Chandini Singh, M.A. Urban Planning, Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, PLACE Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Alexis Lantz, MA Urban Planning, Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, PLACE Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Uyen Ngo, MPH, MURP, Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, PLACE Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA
Nearly two-thirds of adults in Los Angeles County are overweight or obese. Evidence suggests that physical activity can help people manage their health risks, and modifying the built environment can help increase physical activity through walking and bicycling trips. However, only 1% of local transportation funding is dedicated to active transportation projects.

In 2008, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) began funding the development of active transportation plans (bicycle, pedestrian, safe routes to school), focused on providing funding to high-need jurisdictions. These plans are community-driven, and provide local jurisdictions with a guide to which facilities are needed and where to support bicycling and walking. The plans have also often been a requirement to garner federal, state and local funding for implementation of bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Nine jurisdictions leveraged DPH’s total initial investment of $1.44 million in developing plans to garner nearly $22 million in grant funds to implement their adopted active transportation plans.  Post surveys with city staff indicate an increased willingness and readiness of partner jurisdictions to implement active transportation projects and continue to work with DPH.

Investing in planning has led to an increase in implementation of active transportation facilities. DPH’s role as a funder has increased its ability to engage with local jurisdictions, the transportation authority, and metropolitan planning organization; DPH is now recognized as a key stakeholder. This has led to an increase in partnerships for not only transportation projects, but also housing, air quality, and food access.

Learning Areas:

Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Identify sources of funding for planning and implementation of active transportation facilities. Describe key approaches to engage local jurisdictions around transportation and health. List specific tactics to build relationships with local governments and transportation agencies, including for projects beyond transportation.

Keyword(s): Transportation, Funding/Financing

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been working in the field of transportation and health for over five years, and have been a primary author of many active transportation plans. With the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, I oversee several grants and assist partner cities to apply for future funding. I also am a lead in collaborating with external partner agencies including the Southern California Association of Governments and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.